ASEAN context
While in ASEAN, Indonesia, along with other neighboring countries, initiates a high-level task force which was also created to support the ASEAN Secretariat to monitor and implement its community integration programs beyond 2015 as one key issue on the agenda for the ASEAN leaders. In this context, [Integrity & Cohesion] is one of the main concerns and issues to maintain peace; Integrity is about closer connectivity, closer cultural cooperation, and closer economic cooperation. In this growing globalization and growing interdependence world, without integrity and social cohesion at all levels and dimensions, peace will be unattainable. (Colleta: 2001) [i]
As emphasized by ASEAN Secretariat, the threats to security in the ASEAN region, on the whole, remain to be poverty, transnational health threats/infectious diseases, environmental degradation and natural disasters, and transnational crimes. In addition, transnational health threats include HIV and AIDS, SARS, and Avian Influenza (AI). Meanwhile, increasing threats from environmental degradation are deforestation and over-exploitation of natural resources for economic development: air, water, solid waste and toxic waste pollutions as a result of increasing industrialization, while natural disasters include those due to climate changes like floods and droughts, and the rare but highly disastrous tsunami, and man-made disasters such as forest fires and the resulting haze. Other problems in the sector of transnational crimes include terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes such as arms smuggling, sea piracy, international economic crime, and cybercrime (Asean secretariat:2006)[ii]
Furthermore, current global security dimensions are becoming complex, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, as Barry Buzan (2007) points out that the growing interconnectedness, obviously causes the blurring definition of security. Security threats are no longer be seen in a traditional way, for instance, post-cold war and 9/11 terrorism cause security dilemma to international societies. Networks and interdependences caused by globalization, both positively and negatively influence the global system. The problems cannot be solved in isolation; there needs to be cooperation encompassing all multi-level actors to face it.
Stated by the ASEAN Secretariat that in combating threats to regional security, ASEAN has established various mechanisms of cooperation and those are adopted for implementing cooperation frameworks and action plans in the respective sectors. However, the region still faces emerging challenges and threats. To be able to stand against these threats to regional security, ASEAN member countries need to maintain their sense of community as manifested during the last tsunami episode. They need to exert leadership and commitment through partnership with the global community and, as a group, they also need to ensure that they get the priorities right. ASEAN also needs to ensure that partnership with the global community will be according to local regional characteristics and needs. However, while it has to act regionally, ASEAN would need to think globally. To move forward regional cooperation more effectively, ASEAN would take into consideration the need to engage relevant partners from both within and outside ASEAN to jointly implement activities of mutual interest (ASEAN:2006).[iii] Consecutively, it means more collaboration and cooperation with multi-level and multi layer sectors at local to global levels, domestically and internationally.
1. [i] Colletta, N. J., Lim, T. G., & Kelles-Viitanen, A. (Eds.). (2001). Social cohesion and conflict prevention in Asia: Managing diversity through development. World Bank Publications.
2. [ii] ASEAN SECRETARIAT .2006. ASEAN Regional Security: The Threats Facing it and the Way Forward. By ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta retrieved from http://www.asean.org/news/item/asean-regional-security-the-threats-facing-it-and-the-way-forward-by-asean-secretariat-2 at 4/25/2014
3. [iii] Ibid
While in ASEAN, Indonesia, along with other neighboring countries, initiates a high-level task force which was also created to support the ASEAN Secretariat to monitor and implement its community integration programs beyond 2015 as one key issue on the agenda for the ASEAN leaders. In this context, [Integrity & Cohesion] is one of the main concerns and issues to maintain peace; Integrity is about closer connectivity, closer cultural cooperation, and closer economic cooperation. In this growing globalization and growing interdependence world, without integrity and social cohesion at all levels and dimensions, peace will be unattainable. (Colleta: 2001) [i]
As emphasized by ASEAN Secretariat, the threats to security in the ASEAN region, on the whole, remain to be poverty, transnational health threats/infectious diseases, environmental degradation and natural disasters, and transnational crimes. In addition, transnational health threats include HIV and AIDS, SARS, and Avian Influenza (AI). Meanwhile, increasing threats from environmental degradation are deforestation and over-exploitation of natural resources for economic development: air, water, solid waste and toxic waste pollutions as a result of increasing industrialization, while natural disasters include those due to climate changes like floods and droughts, and the rare but highly disastrous tsunami, and man-made disasters such as forest fires and the resulting haze. Other problems in the sector of transnational crimes include terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes such as arms smuggling, sea piracy, international economic crime, and cybercrime (Asean secretariat:2006)[ii]
Furthermore, current global security dimensions are becoming complex, multi-faceted, multi-dimensional, as Barry Buzan (2007) points out that the growing interconnectedness, obviously causes the blurring definition of security. Security threats are no longer be seen in a traditional way, for instance, post-cold war and 9/11 terrorism cause security dilemma to international societies. Networks and interdependences caused by globalization, both positively and negatively influence the global system. The problems cannot be solved in isolation; there needs to be cooperation encompassing all multi-level actors to face it.
Stated by the ASEAN Secretariat that in combating threats to regional security, ASEAN has established various mechanisms of cooperation and those are adopted for implementing cooperation frameworks and action plans in the respective sectors. However, the region still faces emerging challenges and threats. To be able to stand against these threats to regional security, ASEAN member countries need to maintain their sense of community as manifested during the last tsunami episode. They need to exert leadership and commitment through partnership with the global community and, as a group, they also need to ensure that they get the priorities right. ASEAN also needs to ensure that partnership with the global community will be according to local regional characteristics and needs. However, while it has to act regionally, ASEAN would need to think globally. To move forward regional cooperation more effectively, ASEAN would take into consideration the need to engage relevant partners from both within and outside ASEAN to jointly implement activities of mutual interest (ASEAN:2006).[iii] Consecutively, it means more collaboration and cooperation with multi-level and multi layer sectors at local to global levels, domestically and internationally.
1. [i] Colletta, N. J., Lim, T. G., & Kelles-Viitanen, A. (Eds.). (2001). Social cohesion and conflict prevention in Asia: Managing diversity through development. World Bank Publications.
2. [ii] ASEAN SECRETARIAT .2006. ASEAN Regional Security: The Threats Facing it and the Way Forward. By ASEAN Secretariat. Jakarta retrieved from http://www.asean.org/news/item/asean-regional-security-the-threats-facing-it-and-the-way-forward-by-asean-secretariat-2 at 4/25/2014
3. [iii] Ibid